Iloilo Science and Technology University in collaboration with the State Universities and Colleges Association of Hospitality and Tourism Educators of the Philippines, Inc. (SUCAHTEP) held the 1st Grand Hospitality and Tourism Convention on August 28, 2017 at the Grand Xing Hotel Iloilo City.

With the theme Raising Hospitality and Tourism Competitiveness Towards ASEAN Integration, the first SUCAHTEP National Convention was attended by more than 1,200 students and teachers from different State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and private schools nationwide.

Dr. Jeanneth F. Darroca, ISAT U Hotel and Restaurant Technology Head and SUCAHTEP President underlined the importance of the forum to help upgrade the tourism and hospitality industry in order to cope up with the standards in the ASEAN market. “There is a need for the industry to be proactive, innovative and dynamic in order to have a competitive edge in the ASEAN market,” Darroca said.

Different tourism and hospitality related topics were discussed in the plenary sessions. Ms. Susan Santos de Cardenas, CEO and President, SSTDI, Jakarta, Indonesia talked on the Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality: The Global Sustainable Tourism Standards for Destination and Businesses. The topic MICE . . Coming to ASEAN was discussed by Ms. Ma. Christina Aquino, Chairman, TIBFI CMSI Global Careers.

Dr. Don Anton Balida, Co-curricular Activities Coordinator of Oman Tourism College explained the essence of Network for Voluntary Development in Asia while Mr. Alvin Gonzales, Marketing Manager, MIHCA, Manila reviewed the trends and updates of the cruise industries.

Among the guests who gave messages and updates on their respective offices were Ms. Phoebe Areno, Senior Tourism Officer IV, DOT RO VI; Dr. Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. Regional Director, TESDA RO VI and Dr. Cesar H. Medina, Regional Director, CHED RO VI.

Dr. Darroca lauded the participants and recognized the potential of the organization. “SUCAHTEP is just two years old and it is growing. The organization is already registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as of now there are more than a hundred faculty members and 10 institutional members, “ she said.

Other ISAT U professors who are officers of SUCAHTEP are Prof. Hazel M. Malayas, Prof. AAron Paul P. Puljanan, Dr. Noeme C. Mosura. Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President is the consultant of SUCAHTEP.

Established in September 2016, SUCAHTEP is an initiative of ISAT U that aimed to address the needs of SUCs in the field of hospitality and tourism through upgrading the skills of the faculty and professionalizing the industry through forums and annual faculty trainings and conventions.

The Human Resource Department held a lecture-forum on employees’ welfare in government service for all permanent employees of the different ISAT U campuses on October 23, 2017 at the Amigo Terrace Hotel, Iloilo City.

The activity aimed to elevate ISAT U human resource management to a level of excellence through assessment, assistance and awarding processes of Human Resource Management (HRM) Systems, Practices and Competencies using Human Resource maturity level indicators that are at par with global HRM standards.

During the President’s time, Dr. Raul F. Muyong discussed the details and mechanics of the Free Higher Education Act, the upcoming Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Culture and Arts Festival and the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) meet. He also reminded the employees to observe immediate submission of liquidation report. Other matters taken up by the president were the performance based bonus, and the proposed courses already issued with CHED Memorandum Orders.

Mr. Bonnie S. Arenal, HRMO III, underlined the need for government employees to be informed on the benefits they are entitled so that they would  be able to decide on their engagement in government service.

Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre, Vice President for Administration and Finance, talked on the salary and other benefits of an employee, the Executive Order No. 201, s. 2016 modifying the salary schedule for civilian government personnel and authorizing the grant of additional benefits for both civilian and military and uniformed personnel, and the enhanced Performance Based Bonus (PBB).

The activity also focused on rewards and recognition which is one of the four areas of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM). It was also a venue for ISAT U employees to understand the latest issuance of CSC, DBM and GSIS on rewards and promotions.

Mrs. Maila S. Alparaque, HRMO I, discussed the loyalty service updates. Meanwhile, Mrs. Enieda G. Corona, Chief Administrative Officer, elaborated on the Civil Service Commission (CSC) latest issuances particularly on the Omnibus Rules on Appointment and other Human Resource Actions (ORAOHRA).

In her lecture and in the open forum, Mrs. Eleonor D. Gregorio, GSIS Branch Manager, enlightened the audience on the benefits and other concerns on GSIS implementing guidelines.

The lecture on planning a retirement by  Dr. Rosemarie P. Prudente, retired ISAT U CAS dean,  concluded the day’s activity.

Iloilo Science and Technology University presented its research and development projects and activities to the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International team during its September 20, 2017  visit to the university.

The RTI is an independent, non-profit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition.

Heading the RTI team during the campus visit were Dr. Wayne Holden, President and CEO and Mr. Paul Weisenfeld, Executive Vice President for International Development. Other members of the team were Bradley Goehner, Sr., Communications Specialist; Dr. Richard Abendan, Partnership Manager, RTI International; Mr. Collin Anderson and STRIDE Program Coordinator, Dominic M. Barnachea.

The visit aimed to see and discuss school-initiated activities that complete loop of knowledge generation, protection and transfer which is the main concept of conduct of research and extension activities.

Five research and development projects with a total of 19.5 million pesos grants by USAID STRIDE were presented. These are the Phase I and II of the Bioactive Hyaluronic Acid from Heads of Silver-Banded Whiting for Nutraceutical Use: Characterization and Biocompatibility Assessment of the Extracted Hyaluronic Acid, Valorization of Brown Seaweeds Through Alginate Extraction for Fruit and Fish Post-harvest Preservation, Multi-Powered Drying System for Food Processing, and the Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation of a Water Driven S-Turbine/Pump.

The team also visited the  Php 60 million Research Hub, which is expected to be completed before the year ends. It will house the laboratories and the Knowledge Technology Transfer Office (KTTO).

Also presented to the visitors  were case writing, industry immersion and the 1K Cups Caffeination, which is an initiative that creates venue for discussion particularly with the business sector on research and development over a cup of coffee.

Members of the business sector were also invited to the presentation considering its importance to the research and development programs. In attendance were  Mr. Juan Jose H. Jamora, Ma. Luisa C. Segovia, Iloilo Business Club (IBC) President and Treasurer respectively, and Miss Leah Lara.

Dr. Richard Abendan, Partnership Manager, RTI, encouraged the faculty and the research and extension office to maximize the opportunity given by USAID STRIDE.

On behalf of the university, Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, VP  for Research and Extension,  extended his  gratitude to RTI for the support and believing in the capacity of ISAT U in its research programs and activities.

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Commissioner J. Prospero E. De Vera of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) visited ISAT U Iloilo City, Miagao and Leon Campuses last August 18.

The main purpose of Cmsr. De Vera’s visit was primarily to inform the administration and the students on the update of Republic Act 10931 or the Free Access to Higher Education Law  signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on August 3, 2017.

De Vera, Chair-Designate of the  ISAT U Board of Regents and 23 other SUCs, was on listening tour visit. He aired his commitment to visit the schools in the first Board meeting when he was appointed as CHED Commissioner.  “Gagawa ako ng oras para mabisita ko ang mga campuses ng mga SUCs. . . . pagka-nagdedesisyon sa Board of Regents, mahirap kang gumawa ng desisyon kapag hindi mo nakita ang actual na kalagayan sa baba. I visit to know what’s happening in the ground and to be prepared in the next meeting. “

During the open forum, he lauded the bold move of President Duterte to grant universal free education among the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) which was never tried by previous administrations.

A resounding applause from the students was heard when the Commissioner discussed the salient features of RA 10931. “The law provides free tuition and miscellaneous fee to more than one million students starting June of 2018,” De Vera said. He also added that the law provides for free Technical-Vocational courses in TESDA, and with the approval of CHED, local SUCs would also avail the provisions of the law.

Additional subsidy for daily expenses for poor students of public and private universities and the students’ loan program with low interest was also mentioned by De Vera. Free tuition for medical programs of eight SUC’s with deferred service agreement was also highlighted.

To maximize the potential of the law, De Vera underlined the strict implementation of its implementing guidelines. “It should prioritize poor but deserving students. There must be strict admission and retention policies.” he emphasized. “The students to benefit should be serious and passed the minimum number of units required per semester and finish the course within the required period.”

Issues on scholarships and other academic matters and the benefits for the teachers were also clarified during the open forum. Commissioner De Vera also encouraged the faculty to upgrade their professionalism and avail of the scholarship programs offered by CHED.

 

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Fifteen members of the Oman Tourism College Noble Volunteering and Exchange Network engaged in a culinary tourism seminar with the Hotel and Restaurant Technology Department of the different ISAT U campuses on August 14, 2017.

Dr. Jeanneth F. Darroca, HRT Iloilo City Campus Head, explained that the visit’s theme, “Exploring Local and International Culture Through Food,” focused not only on food but in the context of cultures of the two nations. “The guests exchanged culinary ideas and shared their cultural practices with the HRT students and teachers,” she added. Both parties further shared their knowledge in culinary arts through a cooking demo. HRT students demonstrated the process of cooking chicken pancit molo while the Omanis cooked one of their specialties, “makbos digag”- a savory dish of chicken cooked with rice.

The volunteers also stayed in the Gawad Kalinga Village in Batad, Iloilo and constructed a footwalk as their goodwill gift to the residents. The Noble Volunteering and Exchange Network was founded by Dr. Don Anton Balida, Oman Tourism College Co-Corricular Activities Coordinator and a native of Batad, Iloilo.

A memorandum of understanding would soon be formalized between ISAT U and Oman Tourism College. According to Dr. Darroca, a lot of HRT students are now employed in Oman and the recent visit further enhanced the knowledge of the HRT students in international culinary arts.

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In line with the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN 2017 and celebration of its 50th anniversary on August 8, the administrative personnel wore Asian–inspired uniform and displayed flags of ASEAN member nations in the different offices.

The wearing of Asian-inspired uniform by the ISAT U personnel is in compliance with  Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular (MC)  No. 7, s. 2017 issued on March 23, 2017 which  encourages officials, employees, stakeholders, clients and the general public  to wear  the national attire of any ASEAN Member State during  flag raising ceremony and in the activities of the agency requiring formal attire. The said MC  also encourages the posting of any or all of the ASEAN 2017 streamers/banners in conspicuous places within the agency premises; playing of the theme song, “ASEAN Spirit” during agency events and activities; and conducting of appropriate activity/ies to commemorate the 50th Founding of the anniversary of the ASEAN in August 2017 that will involve agency officials and employees, its stakeholders and clients.

In support of the campaign, the faculty and staff of the different ISAT U campuses are assigned to wear the national attire of an ASEAN member country during the 112th ISAT U Foundation Anniversary on September 4-12 .

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The Middle Way Meditation Institute-Iloilo (MMI), Inc. organized its first Human Peace Sign in the Philippines with more than one thousand volunteers at ISAT U Football Field in the morning of August 11.

With the National Youth Commission, the MMI organized the activity to  launch the Global Light of Peace 2017 among the young people of Iloilo City and in the observance of International Youth Day. It was participated by students of ISAT U, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Arevalo, Iloilo City National High School and members of the Philippine National Police.

A morning yoga and meditation yoga conditioned the participants’ physical and mental well-being before the messages of the different guests were delivered. Representing the university president, Dr. Nehema K. Misola, VP for External Affairs gave the welcome remarks.

Assistant Secretary Rhea B. Penaflor of the National Youth Commission delivered a short but clear message – peace is everyone’s responsibility.

Miss Kritanong Phiboonthanakiat, MMI Thailand, presented the Global Light of Peace (GLOP) 2017. GLOP is an online inner meditation activity that will be done simultaneously in Iloilo City, Philippines; Sydney, Australia; Barcelona, Spain; New York,USA; Maputo, Mozambique and Rio de Janiero, Brazil on Sept. 5, 2017. It will also attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Record for the largest online meditation lesson.

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